Third-seeded Italy redeemed itself against France in a grueling five-set match at the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship in Poland on Tuesday.

France took the early lead as they over-powered the Italians to a 2-0 set advantage but Italy went charging back to force the game into a fifth and deciding set.

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Ivan Zaytsev rose to the occasion as he hammered his way against French blockers to seal the match 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-13, 15-12 in a match that lasted just over two hours.

Zaytsev scored 25 points, 19 from attack points, three from blocks and three service aces while Antonin Rouzier top scored the French side with 27 points.

Italian captain Emanuele Birarelli admitted that his team was not confident and he didn't know why.

"During the break after the second set we spoke that we were not fighting," Birarelli said. "And that's what we did from the third set on."

Italy coach Mauro Berruto said he hopes this victory is a turnaround point for them and agrees with his captain. He also said that the substitution of his setters dramatically changed the pace of the game that favored them.

Italy faces Belgium next.

In other Pool D matches, Belgium shut out Puerto Rico 25-19, 25-17, 25-20 to place them second next to Iran in the overall standings.

Dries Bram Van Den led Belgium with 19 points while Maurice Torres and Mannix Roman both scored nine points for Puerto Rico.

Pool  A also saw action Tuesday as host nation Poland continued their domination shutting out Australia 25-17, 25-19, 25-22.

Mateusz Mika was top scorer for the Polish team with 14 points, followed by team captain Michal Winiarski with 13 points.

Thomas Edgar topscored for Australia with 20 points, 17 points from attacks, one block and two service aces.

TagsIvan Zaytsev, Emanuele Birarelli, Antonin Rouzier, Thomas Edgar